The South Korean Ministry of Transport is implementing stricter aviation safety measures following a fire on an Air Busan flight in January. These new rules, effective March 1, will regulate the number and type of portable batteries passengers can carry on board. Passengers will be limited to carrying up to five 100-watt-hour portable batteries, and any battery exceeding 160 watt-hours will be prohibited. Security checks will be more thorough, ensuring compliance with these limits, and charging portable batteries on the plane will be forbidden.
Additionally, passengers will be restricted from storing power banks and e-cigarettes in overhead compartments, aiming to mitigate the risk of battery fires during flights. This decision follows the fire on an Air Busan plane at Gimhae International Airport on January 28, although the fire’s exact cause remains under investigation. Fortunately, no one was injured, and all passengers were evacuated safely.
This measure aligns with global aviation standards, which already prohibit placing batteries in checked luggage due to fire risks associated with potential short circuits.
